Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An interface for controlling transfer of electronic transaction messages between a first financial institution and a plurality of switches distributed amongst a plurality of switch sites, wherein the first financial institution and the plurality of switches are connected via a data communications network, the interface comprising: communication circuitry, processing circuitry and memory storing an operational status of each switch site; wherein the communication circuitry is operable to transmit a test message to one of the switch sites over the data communications network if no transaction message has been received from that switch site for a predetermined time, and in response to the test message, the communication circuitry is operable to receive an echo of the test message from the one of the switch sites; wherein the processing circuitry is operable to: set the operational status of the one of the switch sides as operational in the memory if the echo is received within a defined time of transmitting the test message; set the operational status of the one of the switch sites as not operational if the echo is not received within the defined time; whereby when the operational status of the one of the switch sites is set as not operational, the processing circuitry is operable such that no transaction messages are transferred to said switch site; and when the operational status of the one of the switch sites is set as operational: determine whether a format of a transaction message issued by the first financial institution conforms to a predetermined standard; and add routing information to the transaction message identifying a switch of the one of the switch sites, to thereby enable the transaction message to be directed to said switch; wherein the communication circuitry is then operable, in response to the transaction message issued by the first financial institution, to: transmit the transaction message over the data communications network for storage in a message queue unit associated with the one of the switch sites for subsequent processing of the transaction message in the predetermined standard by the identified switch of the one of the switch sites, when the format of the transaction message conforms to the predetermined standard; return the transaction message to the first financial institution when the format of the transaction message does not conform to the predetermined standard; wherein the memory further is operable to store an operational status of a second financial institution connected to the plurality of switches, via the data communications network; wherein the communication circuitry further is operable to receive information from one or more of the plurality of switches indicating an updated operational status of the second financial institution; wherein the processing circuitry further is operable to update the operational status of the second financial institution, stored in the memory, based on the information received from the one or more of the plurality of switches; and wherein, when the operational status of the second financial institution indicates that the second financial institution is not operational, the processing circuitry is operable to prevent electronic transaction messages instructing a transaction from the first financial institution to the second financial institution from being transmitted to the switches.
This invention relates to a system for managing electronic transaction message routing between financial institutions and distributed switch sites. The system monitors the operational status of switch sites and financial institutions to ensure reliable message transfer. It includes communication and processing circuitry that periodically sends test messages to switch sites to verify their operational status. If a switch site fails to respond within a defined time, it is marked as non-operational, and no transaction messages are routed to it. For operational switch sites, the system checks if transaction messages conform to a predetermined standard. If they do, routing information is added, and the message is sent to a message queue for processing. Non-conforming messages are returned to the sender. The system also tracks the operational status of connected financial institutions, updating this information based on feedback from switches. If a receiving financial institution is non-operational, transaction messages destined for it are blocked, preventing failed transactions. This ensures efficient and reliable message routing in financial networks.
2. The interface according to claim 1 , wherein the communication circuitry is operable to send a further test message to a non-operational switch site after a specified period.
A system for managing communication in a network environment addresses the challenge of ensuring reliable message delivery in distributed systems where some nodes may be temporarily or permanently non-operational. The system includes an interface with communication circuitry designed to send test messages to various network nodes, including non-operational switch sites, to verify their status. The communication circuitry is configured to retransmit a test message to a non-operational switch site after a predefined time interval, allowing the system to periodically check the availability of previously unresponsive nodes. This feature helps maintain network integrity by ensuring that failed or offline nodes are periodically reassessed, reducing the risk of permanent disconnection or data loss. The system may also include additional components, such as a processor and memory, to support message processing and storage of node status information. The periodic retransmission mechanism improves fault tolerance and reliability in dynamic network environments where node availability may fluctuate.
3. The interface according to claim 1 , wherein the information indicating the updated operational status of the second financial institution is generated by the one or more of the plurality of switches based on either a lack of a response of a test message transmitted to the second financial institution by each of the plurality of switches within a predetermined period of time, or an indication to the one or more of the plurality of switches by the second financial institution that the second financial institution is to be disconnected from the data communications network.
A system monitors the operational status of financial institutions connected to a data communications network, particularly focusing on detecting disconnections or failures. The system includes multiple switches that periodically transmit test messages to a second financial institution to verify its connectivity. If the second financial institution fails to respond to these test messages within a predetermined timeframe, the switches generate information indicating an updated operational status, such as a disconnection or failure. Alternatively, the second financial institution may actively notify the switches of its intent to disconnect, prompting the switches to update the operational status accordingly. This ensures real-time awareness of network connectivity changes, allowing other financial institutions or network components to adjust operations dynamically. The system enhances reliability by proactively identifying and reporting disruptions, reducing the risk of failed transactions or communication errors. The switches may also coordinate with other network elements to propagate the updated status, ensuring consistent system-wide awareness. This approach improves network resilience and operational efficiency in financial data networks.
4. A method of controlling transfer of electronic transaction messages between a first financial institution and a plurality of switches distributed amongst a plurality of switch sites, wherein the first financial institution and the plurality of switches are connected via a data communications network, the method comprising: transmitting a test message to one of the switch sites over the data communications network if no transaction message has been received from that switch site for a predetermined time; receiving an echo of the test message from the switch site; wherein if the echo is received within a defined time of transmitting the test message, setting an operational status of the switch site as operational, and if the echo is not received within the defined time, setting the operational status of the switch site as not operational; whereby when the operational status of the switch site is set to not operational, the method comprises transferring no electronic transaction messages to the switch site; storing, in a memory, an operational status of a second financial institution connected to the plurality of switches via the data communications network; receiving information from one or more of the plurality of switches indicating an updated operational status of the second financial institution; updating the operational status of the second financial institution stored in the memory based on the information received from the one or more switches; when the operational status of the second financial institution indicates that the second financial institution is not operational, preventing electronic transaction messages instructing a transaction from the first financial institution to the second financial institution from being transmitted to the switches; and in response to an electronic transaction message issued by the first financial institution: determining whether a format of the electronic transaction message issued by the first financial institution conforms to a predetermined standard necessary for processing of the electronic transaction message; when the format of said electronic transaction message conforms to the predetermined standard and when the operational status of the one of the switch sites is set as operational, transmitting the electronic transaction message over the data communications network for storage in a message queue unit associated with the one of the switch sites for subsequent processing of the electronic transaction message in the predetermined standard by a switch of the one of the switch sites; and when the format of said electronic transaction message does not conform to the predetermined standard, returning the electronic transaction message to the first financial institution.
This invention relates to a system for managing electronic transaction message routing between financial institutions and distributed switch sites. The system addresses the problem of ensuring reliable and secure transaction processing by monitoring the operational status of switch sites and financial institutions, validating message formats, and preventing transactions from being routed to non-operational entities. The method involves periodically transmitting test messages to switch sites to verify their operational status. If a switch site fails to respond within a defined time, it is marked as non-operational, and no transaction messages are routed to it. The system also tracks the operational status of connected financial institutions, updating this status based on information received from switches. If a financial institution is marked as non-operational, transactions from other institutions to it are blocked. Additionally, the system validates the format of transaction messages issued by financial institutions against a predetermined standard. If a message conforms to the standard and the target switch site is operational, the message is transmitted to a message queue for processing. If the message does not conform, it is returned to the originating institution. This ensures only properly formatted messages are processed, reducing errors and improving transaction reliability.
5. The method according to claim 4 , comprising sending a further test message to a non-operational switch site after a specified period.
A system and method for managing network switch sites involves monitoring the operational status of multiple switch sites within a network. The method includes detecting a failure or non-operational status at a switch site, triggering an alert or notification to a network administrator, and initiating a recovery or diagnostic process. The system may also log the failure event for troubleshooting and future reference. Additionally, the method includes sending a further test message to a non-operational switch site after a specified period to verify if the site has recovered or remains non-operational. This periodic testing helps ensure continuous monitoring and timely detection of any changes in the switch site's status. The system may also include a centralized management interface that provides real-time status updates and allows administrators to remotely manage and configure the switch sites. The method may further involve automated recovery actions, such as rebooting the switch or rerouting network traffic to maintain network stability. The system is designed to improve network reliability and reduce downtime by proactively identifying and addressing switch site failures.
6. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the information indicating the updated operational status of the second financial institution is generated by one or more of the plurality of switches based on either a lack of a response of a test message transmitted to the second financial institution by each of the switches within a predetermined period of time or an indication to one or more of the plurality of switches by the second financial institution that the second financial institution is to be disconnected from the data communications network.
This invention relates to financial transaction processing systems, specifically methods for monitoring and updating the operational status of financial institutions within a data communications network. The problem addressed is ensuring reliable and up-to-date status information for financial institutions to prevent failed transactions due to connectivity issues or planned disconnections. The method involves a plurality of switches within the network that monitor the operational status of a second financial institution. The switches generate information indicating the updated operational status of the second financial institution based on two conditions. First, if a test message transmitted to the second financial institution by any of the switches does not receive a response within a predetermined period, the status is updated to reflect a lack of connectivity. Second, if the second financial institution explicitly notifies one or more of the switches that it is to be disconnected from the network, the status is updated accordingly. This ensures that the network has accurate and timely information about the operational state of the financial institution, allowing other systems to adjust transaction routing or processing accordingly. The method improves reliability by proactively detecting connectivity failures and planned disconnections, reducing the risk of transaction failures due to outdated status information.
7. The interface according to claim 1 , wherein the interface is included at the first financial institution, and wherein the first financial institution is separate from the second financial institution.
This invention relates to a financial transaction interface system designed to facilitate secure and efficient interactions between separate financial institutions. The system addresses the challenge of enabling seamless transactions while maintaining data integrity and security across distinct financial entities. The interface is integrated at a first financial institution, which operates independently from a second financial institution. This setup allows the first institution to process and validate transaction requests from the second institution, ensuring compliance with regulatory and operational standards. The interface includes mechanisms for authenticating transaction data, verifying participant identities, and executing transactions in real-time. It also supports error handling and reconciliation processes to resolve discrepancies between the institutions. By separating the interface from the second financial institution, the system enhances security and reduces the risk of unauthorized access or data breaches. The interface may also include logging and reporting features to track transaction history and monitor system performance. This solution is particularly useful in scenarios where financial institutions need to collaborate while maintaining operational independence.
8. The interface according to claim 1 , wherein the transaction message issued by the first financial institution is directed to the second financial institution; and wherein the communication circuitry is operable, in connection with transmitting said transaction message over the data communications network, to transmit the transaction message when the format of the transaction message conforms to the predetermined standard and when the operational status of the second financial institution indicates that the second financial institution is operational.
This invention relates to a financial transaction interface system designed to ensure reliable message transmission between financial institutions. The system addresses the problem of failed or delayed transactions due to message format inconsistencies or recipient institution unavailability. The interface includes communication circuitry that verifies the transaction message's compliance with a predetermined standard before transmission. Additionally, the system checks the operational status of the receiving financial institution to confirm it is active before sending the message. This dual verification process minimizes transmission errors and ensures messages are only sent when the recipient is ready to process them. The interface is particularly useful in interbank communication networks where standardized message formats and real-time operational status checks are critical for maintaining transaction integrity. By combining format validation with recipient availability verification, the system enhances the reliability and efficiency of financial transaction processing.
9. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the electronic transaction message issued by the first financial institution is directed to the second financial institution; and wherein transmitting said electronic transaction message over the data communications network includes transmitting the electronic transaction message when the format of the electronic transaction message conforms to the predetermined standard and when the operational status of the second financial institution indicates that the second financial institution is operational.
This invention relates to electronic transaction processing between financial institutions, specifically ensuring reliable message transmission based on format compliance and recipient operational status. The method involves a first financial institution issuing an electronic transaction message intended for a second financial institution. Before transmitting the message over a data communications network, the system verifies two conditions: first, that the message format conforms to a predetermined standard, and second, that the operational status of the second financial institution indicates it is currently operational. Transmission only proceeds if both conditions are satisfied. This ensures that messages are only sent when they are properly formatted and the recipient is available to process them, reducing errors and failed transmissions. The method may be part of a broader system for managing inter-institutional financial transactions, where message validation and recipient status checks are automated to improve transaction reliability. The invention addresses challenges in financial messaging systems where improperly formatted messages or attempts to send messages to non-operational recipients can cause delays, errors, or system failures.
Unknown
July 7, 2020
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